CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Having left an historic mark on the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball team as a student-athlete,
Kyndal Payne returns to the program on the coaching staff as the new assistant coach.
Payne left the Island after making arguably untouchable history on the Islanders Volleyball program as the first-ever two-time AVCA All-American and just second three-time AVCA All-Region honoree. She concluded her career on the biggest stage as the Islanders took on No. 3 Texas in the NCAA First Round after she helped the Islanders punch their ticket back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since her freshman season (2021).
Overall, Payne helped the program to three Southland Conference Championships and two trips to the NCAA Tournament, and was named the SLC Player of the Year in both 2022 and 2023.
She finished her time with the Islanders ranked first in program history in career kills (1,658) and total attacks (4,209), second in kills per set (3.80) and solo blocks (96), sixth in digs (1,132) and eighth in total blocks (192). Payne is also the only player in program history to record both over 1,500 kills and 1,000 digs.
Upon graduating from the program, Payne extended her volleyball career into the professional realm after signing a contract with Pölkky Kuusamo in Finland. After a year of professional ball, she returns to her alma mater to help the Islanders this time in a coaching capacity.
She is not the first former Islander to return as a coach, as Julia Carter also came back to the Island to coach after her playing experience under head coach
Steve Greene as well.
"
Kyndal Payne is arguably the most decorated player in the history of our program," said Greene. "She is a tremendous leader and it always looking to make others better. I am excited to have her come back and coach for the Islanders and share her expertise with our student athletes. Our program will benefit greatly from her championship level experience and leadership qualities."
Her role begins immediately this spring ahead of the 2026 fall competitive season.
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